7-Day Morocco Beach and Desert Tour with Chefchaouen and Sahara

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore the arts scene in the seaside city of Asilah
• 02 Photograph the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen
• 03 Trek on camelback through the Sahara at Erg Chebbi
• 04 Discover the historic medinas of Fes and Marrakech
• 05 Visit Todra Gorge and the UNESCO-listed ksar of Aït Benhaddou

Take this seven-day journey from Morocco's coast to its imperial cities and Sahara dunes. Explore the arts scene in Asilah, photograph the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, and follow a guide through the historic medina of Fes. Continue into the desert for a camel trek across Erg Chebbi and an overnight camp experience, then travel through Todra Gorge, Dadès Valley, and Aït Benhaddou before ending in vibrant Marrakech.

Take this seven-day journey from Morocco's coast to its imperial cities and Sahara dunes.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, Midelt, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Asilah, Merzouga, Todgha Gorge, Aït Benhaddou, Erg Chebbi, Dadès Gorges

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Casablanca and Transfer to Asilah

• Greetings from Morocco! Once you arrive at Casablanca airport, you can take a transfer to Asilah, a charming seaside city. The murals found around every corner and the street vendors selling their wares are all examples of the abundance of art in this tiny walled city. Every year, the walls are freshly whitewashed to make room for a new crop of murals, so there is always new art to discover.
• Visit one of the many artist studios in the medina if you want to take some art with you, then try the catch of the day at the nearby seafood stands. Even young children exhibit their work for everyone to see. If you want to watch the Atlantic Ocean sunset, make sure to go to the ramparts in the evening.

2

Day 02

Asilah to Chefchaouen via the Caves of Hercules

• Travel to Chefchaouen, Morocco's Blue Pearl. En route, you can stop to see the Hercules Caves near Tangier. According to myth, Hercules rested in these caves before beginning his eleventh labour, which involved the golden apples of the Hesperides. The circular cuts can be attributed to millstone mining, which has been taking place since Phoenician times.
• After spending some time here, continue inland to Chefchaouen and the Rif Mountains. In this frequently photographed blue city, find a tranquil oasis. Despite its popularity, it remains a quiet place to observe the details of its Andalusian-Arab influences.
• Visit the 17th-century kasbah and its gardens, meander through the narrow, cobbled streets of the Old Medina, and stop to admire the Tarik-Ben-Ziad Mosque and its intricately carved octagonal minaret.

3

Day 03

Chefchaouen to Fes and Medina Discovery

• Travel from Chefchaouen to Fes, the city with the biggest old town in the world, and embark on a guided tour of the area with a local expert. Starting at the Royal Palace, you will proceed through the historic Jewish District and up to one of the Borj towers for sweeping views of the medina.
• You will then continue to a mosaic house for a demonstration of the traditional pottery techniques used by Fassi artisans. You will witness each step of the process, from the creation of the clay to the assembly of the mosaics.
• Following the demonstration, the tour will take you into Fes's medina, where you can explore the historic streets and neighbourhoods, stop by the various artisan quarters, including the tanneries, and view significant historical landmarks like Idriss II's Tomb and Al-Qarawaiyin University, the world's oldest continuously operating university. You will have the remainder of the afternoon and evening free to explore the medina after your tour. If you get lost, do not worry - it is all part of the experience.

4

Day 04

Fes to Merzouga and Sahara Camel Trek

• Leave Fes and travel into the desert. Along the way, you will pass through the largest cedar forest in Africa, which is also home to the entertaining Barbary apes, also known as Atlas monkeys. To reach Midelt, located on the high plains between the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, you will cross the Middle Atlas Mountains. Here, you will stop for lunch.
• Continue through the Ziz River Gorge to the expansive dunes of Erg Chebbi in the High Atlas Mountains. Before meeting your camels and trekking into the dunes to your luxurious camp for the night, take some time to explore the area around the dunes. If camels are not really your thing, you can choose a 4x4 instead.
• Once there, you can ascend the nearest dune to watch the setting sun and the stars begin to form. Enjoy a traditional meal, music into the night, and stargazing.

5

Day 05

Merzouga to Dadès Valley via Tinghir and Todra Gorge

• Get up early to watch the sunrise over the sand dunes before mounting your camel and returning to the edge of the dunes. From there, it is time to travel to Dadès Gorge.
• Along the way, you will stop to see the historic irrigation system that once brought water to the desert from the distant Saghro Mountains and the oasis town of Tinghir, where you can take a guided tour of the palm grove and the historic Jewish quarter.
• Before arriving in Dadès Valley, you will visit nearby Todra Gorge and walk through its most stunning section.

6

Day 06

Dadès Valley to Marrakech via Aït Benhaddou

• Take the Road of 1000 Kasbahs to reach Ouarzazate, also referred to as the Hollywood of Morocco. You will travel through Ouarzazate and continue on to Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Explore this magnificent ksar before ascending the Tizi n'Tichka pass to cross the High Atlas Mountains at a height of almost 7,500 feet (2,286 m) above sea level. Before reaching Marrakech, there will be numerous stops for tea and photos as you take in the breathtaking vistas.
• The vibrant oasis city of Marrakech offers a maze of old-town bazaars filled with Moorish riads, palm trees, woven carpets, the scent of spices, and oriental lamps.
• Make your way through the medina's narrow, winding alleyways, characterized by stairs and vaults. Here, woven carpets, ceramics, parchment lamps, and enormous spice stalls in every colour are displayed overhead.

7

Day 07

Guided Tour of Marrakech and Departure

• After breakfast, meet your private local guide, who will take you on a tour of Marrakech's historic centre. You will encounter bustling souks and confusing alleys as you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Displays of djellabas, colourful babouches, intricately pierced lanterns, conical mounds of exotic spices, and the intense commotion of medina life are sure to mesmerize you. Your enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guide will enlighten you along the way about the background and legends of the Red City's medina, souk, and Mellah neighbourhoods.
• You will continue your private tour in the late afternoon by visiting sites such as the Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace, and the Koutoubia Mosque. After your tour is over and you have finished any last-minute souvenir shopping, it is time to transfer to the airport for your flight home or your next adventure.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or the airport
• Transport in a private 4x4 car or minibus with A/C and fuel
• English- or Spanish-speaking driver-guide
• 9 nights' accommodation in hotels, riads, and camp
• Camel ride in the Sahara Desert (one camel per person)
• Meals: breakfast and dinners
• Local guides in Fes and Marrakech

What's Not Included

• Dinners
• Tips

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Casablanca, Morocco

Tour start

Casablanca, Morocco

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.